SOME STRANGE SUPERSTITIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue II, 13 July 1895, Page 32

SOME STRANGE SUPERSTITIONS.

In some foreign climes superstition resolves itself into peculiar forms and phases. In Hawaii, for example, the natives devoutly believe that if they cross the threshold of the palace with the left foot first, disaster is sure to come to them either in their health or business. To witness a foreign warship anchor in the harbour is to the Hawaiin native a sure precursor of bad luck. The Emperors of Japan have a deep grotto far under the earth in which they take refuge during the violent storms which visit their country. The roof and walls of the grotto are covered with strong reservoirs full of water, which is intended to ward off the lightning The French believe that to break a looking-glass over a portrait is a sure omen of speedy death to some party concerned. Napoleon happened to encounter this supposed disaster while in Italy with the portrait of his beloved Josephine, and he immediately despatched a message inquiring as to her welfare, and betrayed keen anxiety until he heard that all was well with her. The Germans have a superstitution to the effect that the executioner’s sword will move in its scabbard if approached by a person who has committed murder. They affirm that on one occasion, during a very heavy storm, a young nobleman sought refuge in the castle where this sword is kept. During his passage past the fatal sword the weapon rattled loudly in its sheath. On hearing this terrible sound the young man fled precipitately from the castle. A week later he openly confessed to the crime of murder, and was duly tried and put to death. ‘The ‘Flying Dutchman’ is the name given to a spectral ship which is supposed to cruise in storms off the Cape of Good Hope, and the sight of which is regarded by mariners as an omen of the most serious portent. The vessel is distinguished from all others by carrying a press of sail when no other ship may dare, for stress of weather, bear an inch of canvas. The cause of her wandering is thus explained :—A Dutch captain, bound home from the Indies, met with long-continued headwinds and heavy weather off the Cape of Good Hope, and refused to put back, as he was advised to do, but solemnly swore that he would beat round the Cape if he had to keep at it till the day of Judgment. He is supposed to have been taken at his word, and doomed to beat against headwinds all his days. His sails are said to have become thin and sere, his ship-sides white with age, and himself and his crew reduced almost to shadows. He cannot heave to or lower a boat, but sometimes hails vessels through his trumpet and requests them to take letters home for him. This superstition has its origin, probably, in the ‘ sea mirage,’ or apparent suspension in the air of some ship out of sight—a phenomenon sometimes witnessed at sea, and caused by unequal refraction in the lower strata of the atmosphere. Another quaint superstition which receives wide recognition and credence.in many parts of England and also in the United States, is that a horse-shoe nailed over the door of a dwelling is a sure guarantee of good fortune to the inmates, and likewise a protection from evil spirits. In the mythology of England the horseshoe has always been invested with the charm of being a certain creator of good luck. Popular superstition has for ages endowed iron with miraculous powers. The Romans are known to have driven iron nails into the doors and walls of their houses as a protection from the plague. The Arab who is met and overwhelmed by the dreaded Simoon—or desert sandstorm—endeavours to appease his offended deity by prostrating himself and crying ‘ Iron ! Iron !’ The ‘ iron ’ superstition is generally believed in by the Teutonic and Scandinavian races, and has been observed as far east as Hindoos‘.an.